This week was a little bit different at Realife. It was the last Sunday of the month: Missions Sunday.
Missions Sunday is a day devoted to the evangelism and outreach efforts of our church. We are heavily involved in giving aid to the Philippines, as well as Romania, Burma, Singapore and Thailand. Church planting training, baptism and basic aid is provided with the same ‘good news’ spoken about in Mark 16:15-16:
‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Rather than the usual sort of inspiring message, this week saw missions-founded testimonies and praise reports. We watched video evidence of the work Realife is doing overseas, with the words ‘thank you Realife Church’ being repeated countless times, and heard personal accounts from a couple of treasured members of this big family who had gone on missions to the Philippines earlier in the year for the very first time. It was all so moving that it made this writer resolute to follow their example next year! I can’t wait to potentially go on my very first mission trip and be a firsthand witness to what amazing and literally life-changing feats can be achieved when love is at the fore.
If you want to hear all of the inspiration for yourself, click here for the download of the service.
Our mission work doesn’t limit itself to the hot little overseas villages, however: the week’s community barbeque was a local mission in itself. I personally observed that many were encouraged and shown God’s love by each other, while snags and barbies and giggling children and sunshine surrounded them.
It was a very joyful, inspiring, motivational, encouraging day, overall, and I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that next week will be the same, whatever happens.
God bless you,
Emma W.